Damian McKenzie, the All Blacks fly-half, has shed light on the origin of his popular goal-kicking routine, which has propelled him to the top tier of the game's most reliable place-kickers.
The 29-year-old has consistently impressed with his accuracy over recent seasons, becoming the leading points scorer for two consecutive Super Rugby Pacific campaigns with the Chiefs, in 2023 and 2024. His trademark pre-kick smile has become an identifiable part of his routine, which he has previously attributed to helping him relax under pressure.
Now, McKenzie has detailed the genesis of this routine on the *Aotearoa Rugby Pod*, revealing a fascinating story of how it came about. When asked about the reason for the smile, McKenzie responded: "It was a bit of a sports psychology thing. When I first turned professional, I was working with a sports psychologist named David Galbraith at the Chiefs. My kicking was already decent, but he asked me what I found most challenging about it. I said the pressure, and he suggested trying a smile before each kick to help me relax and fully embrace the moment. I've been doing it ever since."
However, McKenzie's routine recently caused him some trouble, as he was timed out while setting up for a kick during the All Blacks' first test against England. Although this incident occurred in the final stages of a closely fought match, the All Blacks ultimately secured a narrow 16-15 victory in Dunedin. The timing issue did not affect the result, but it prompted New Zealand Rugby to introduce a shot clock on the big screen for the second test against England in Auckland, a measure that will be implemented for all home tests in 2024.
McKenzie acknowledges the shot clock's benefits, stating: "It wasn't ideal being timed out, but I guess it's something you encounter when you travel. I could have certainly done with that a couple of weeks ago. It's definitely helpful."
The shot clock, introduced by World Rugby last year to combat time-wasting, has led McKenzie to carefully adjust his routine. "I've definitely put more emphasis on being aware of the shot clock during my kicking process," he explained. "I've never really had a problem with it, but I don't count down the seconds in my head. I stick to my routine, which usually stays within the time limit. Having the shot clock there gives you a better idea of where you are, kind of like a basketball player."
McKenzie also addressed the circumstances of the timed-out kick in Dunedin, revealing that he heard the referee's instructions but couldn't decipher them clearly. "I was about to begin my routine, and then the whistle blew," he said. "I don't blame anyone but myself. I don't think my process took any longer than my previous kicks, but the ref made a decision based on what he saw. I was fortunate that it didn't end up costing us the game."
McKenzie's unique pre-kick ritual, coupled with his willingness to adapt to new regulations like the shot clock, highlights the importance of mental preparation and focus in achieving consistent success as a place-kicker. He remains a vital asset for the All Blacks, and his trademark smile continues to be a familiar sight for fans around the world.
